Are Chambers of Commerce Still Relevant in a World That's More Reliant on Social Media

1. Are Chambers of Commerce Still Relevant in the Era of Social Media?
I've been active in several chambers of commerce over the last six years, and I've even
served as a board member for three years. I believe that chambers are still relevant
and that they still have a great deal to offer. While people continue to think of chambers
as the venue for mixers and social events, in recent years they have been taking a more
active role in advocacy, especially for small business. They are also working hard to
provide additional member benefits like offering discounted group insurance, which is
especially important to companies with small employee groups. (It will be interesting to
see what role chambers choose to play as more provisions of the Affordable Care Act
go into effect). As utilities continue to deregulate, chambers are offering discounted
rates for member firms that purchase through their cooperatives. One of our local
chambers sponsored several candidate forums during the last election cycle.
While advocacy and member benefits are important, chambers still play a role in helping
people connect. I attended a joint mixer earlier this month which was co-hosted by the
five Franklin County chambers of commerce. I was able to connect and spend time with
a couple of dozen people, many of whom I hadn't seen in months. While I am
continually amazed at the reach social media affords, there is no substitute for shaking
hands, sharing a bite to eat or hearing about family vacations when it comes to
reconnecting with old friends, colleagues, and business partners.
What became clear in the days following the mixer is that social media, especially
LinkedIn, can play a role in creating synergies between your traditional networks and
your social media networks. Where I might have sent a follow-up email to someone I
saw at a mixer, I'm now beginning to send those follow-up emails in LinkedIn. (I'm also
making an effort to log in to LinkedIn daily during the work week to check for new
connection requests and emails.)
While I do not believe that social media can take the place of developing and leveraging
personal networks - especially in the B2B world, LinkedIn can play a more prominent
role in staying connected, reconnecting and prospecting. I've taken an active role in
introducing friends and networking partners at traditional networking events, but I have
been far less active engaging in this behavior in the virtual world. This sounds like it
could be a very powerful New Year's resolution. Are you making any networking or
social media resolutions for 2013?
Edward D. Warren is marketing director at Smith Elliott Kearns and Company, LLC.
Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC is a regional accounting firm with offices in
Hagerstown, MD, Carlisle, Chambersburg and Hanover, PA. With over 150 employees
firm-wide the firm offers a variety of accounting and consulting services for small and
closely held firms, non-profits and local governments. Learn more about the firm by
visiting our website or by visiting our LinkedIn company page.